TLDR: The University of Michigan Law School has announced a new optional supplemental essay prompt for its upcoming admissions cycle that requires applicants to use generative AI tools for their response. This marks a significant shift from their previous stance, which banned AI use in application essays, and aims to assess prospective students’ understanding and responsible application of AI, a skill increasingly valued in the legal profession.
Ann Arbor, MI – The University of Michigan Law School is making headlines with a groundbreaking change to its admissions process, introducing a new optional supplemental essay prompt that mandates the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for crafting the response. This move represents a notable reversal from the institution’s 2023 policy, which explicitly prohibited the use of AI in application essays, and underscores the growing integration of AI into legal education and practice.
For the upcoming fall application cycle, prospective students can choose from ten supplemental essay prompts, one of which specifically requires AI engagement. The prompt reads: “TO BE ANSWERED USING GENERATIVE AI: How much do you use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT right now? What’s your prediction for how much you will use them by the time you graduate from law school? Why?”
Sarah Zearfoss, Senior Assistant Dean at the University of Michigan Law School, explained the rationale behind this innovative requirement. She noted that the question was inspired by observations of AI’s expanding role within law firms, where it is increasingly utilized for tasks such as drafting emails and motions. “That is now a skill that… probably not all legal employers, but big law firms, are looking for in their incoming associates,” Zearfoss stated. “So I thought it would be interesting: If we have applicants who have that skill, let’s give them an opportunity to demonstrate it.”
The adoption of AI in the legal sector is on the rise. According to a recent American Bar Association survey, 30% of law firms overall, and a higher 46% of firms with over 100 employees, reported using AI tools. However, this integration is not without its challenges. There have been instances where lawyers faced sanctions due to AI-generated filings containing fabricated cases and quotations, highlighting the critical need for responsible and effective AI use.
While embracing AI for this specific prompt, Michigan Law School maintains its prohibition on AI use for personal statements and other supplemental essays. This allows admissions officers to evaluate applicants’ writing abilities both with and without AI assistance. The new prompt aims to gauge an applicant’s familiarity with AI, their foresight regarding its future application in their legal careers, and their capacity for responsible engagement with the technology.
Frances M. Green, an attorney specializing in AI, commented on the broader implications, stating, “I believe lawyers who use AI will replace lawyers who don’t.” She emphasized that the ability to use and engage with AI is poised to become a required skill for all lawyers, extending beyond drafting to understanding how to manage AI-generated evidence. However, Green also expressed concern about the phrasing of Michigan’s question, suggesting applicants might be inclined to misrepresent their AI use to align with perceived admissions preferences.
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This strategic shift by Michigan Law School reflects a proactive approach to preparing future legal professionals for an evolving landscape where AI literacy is becoming an indispensable asset.
